You will need:
4mm crochet hook (You may use a 5, since my gauge tends to be a little tight, but don’t go any larger than a 5mm!)
Medium weight yarn (4). For this pattern, I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn. I prefer to use this yarn for toys and amigurumi, as it is more durable and doesn’t pill like other yarns, plus it also has a nicer feel than acrylic.
Scissors for cutting yarn when fastening off
Yarn needle, for assembling the elephant
Pins, to hold each body part in place when determining the placement and assembly
Polyfil stuffing
Plastic safety eyes
(Optional) A pipe cleaner for the elephant’s trunk
Abbreviations:
sc: Single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together.
This pattern will be done in continuous rounds. I.E, we won’t be joining at the end of each round, rather, we will be moving onto the next one by continuing to crochet into the first stitch of the previous round.
You will need to keep track of your stitches by either counting them meticulously, or using a stitch marker (I’d go with the latter). Incidentally, you don’t necessarily need to buy a stitch marker, you can simply use a loose piece of yarn.
Let’s get crocheting!
Body:
Chain 2.
Round 1: In the second chain from the hook, make 6sc
Round 2: 2sc in each stitch (12sc)
Round 3: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next. Repeat 5 times (18sc)
Round 4: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next 2 stitches. Repeat 5 times (24sc)
Round 5: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next 3 stitches. Repeat 5 times (30sc)
Round 6: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next 4 stitches. Repeat 5 times (36sc)
Round 7: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next 5 stitches. Repeat 5 times (42sc)
Round 8: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next 6 stitches. Repeat 5 times (48sc)
Round 9 - 23: 1sc in every stitch around.
This is when you should attach your eyes to the elephant, before decreasing any further. I would recommend moving them around the face to find the position you like before snapping them into place with the plastic washer. Once the washer is in place, it won’t come off and you won’t be able to remove them, so make sure you’re 100% happy with their placement first! If you are unsure where to place them, the photos I've provided should help.
Round 24: sc2tog, 1sc in the next 6 stitches. Repeat 5 times (42sc)
Round 25: sc2tog, 1sc in the next 5 stitches. Repeat 5 times (36sc)
Round 26: sc2tog, 1sc in the next 4 stitches. Repeat 5 times (30sc)
Round 27: sc2tog, 1sc in the next 3 stitches. Repeat 5 times (24sc)
Start stuffing!!
Round 28: sc2tog, 1sc in the next 2 stitches. Repeat 5 times. (18sc)
Round 29: sc2tog, 1sc in the next 1 stitches. Repeat 5 times. (12sc)
Make sure your elephant is stuffed firmly and evenly!
Round 30: sc2tog 6 times (6sc) Fasten off, pulling tight to close up the end. Weave in ends.
Ears (Make 2)
Chain 2.
Round 1: In the second chain from the hook, make 6sc
Round 2: 2sc in each stitch (12sc)
Round 3: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next. Repeat 5 times (18sc)
Round 4: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next 2 stitches. Repeat 5 times (24sc)
Round 5: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next 3 stitches. Repeat 5 times (30sc)
Round 6: 2sc in the next stitch, 1sc in the next 4 stitches. Repeat 5 times (36sc)
Round 7: 1sc in each stitch around. Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew to the body.
Trunk
Chain 2. In the second chain from hook, make 8 sc.
In each stitch, 1sc. Keep crocheting 1sc in each stitch until you have then length of the trunk you like. I stopped after 14 rounds.
Here is where you can (if you choose) insert a pipe cleaner into the trunk - that way you will be able to articulate the trunk into different positions. Up, down, sideways, corkscrew, anyway you want! This is optional, however, and the photos of my elephant shown don't have a pipe cleaner inside the trunk.
Feet (Make 4)
Chain 2. In the second chain from hook, make 6sc.
Round 1: 1sc in the next stitch, 2sc in the next stitch. Repeat around. (9sc)
Round 2: 1sc in each stitch around. Fasten off, leaving a tail to sew to the body.
Assembly!
Using your pins, attach the ears, legs and trunk to the body and adjust accordingly. I placed the ears on either side of the body at round ten. The trunk's position can be at the centre of the face (otherwise known as round 1), or a little bit slower than that. Once you are happy with your placement, using the yarn needle and the long tail left on each piece, sew the ears, legs and trunk onto the body (I used a whip stitch).
Pinning the pieces to the body before sewing them on means you are less likely to sew attach them unevenly (on my first elephant, one ear was higher than the other, oops!) You may need to move them around a bit before you are happy with the overall project.That said, assembly is pretty straightforward and you can refer to the photos below for assistance.
And there you have it! An adorable, mini amigurumi elephant! You can gift them to a friend who loves elephants, to children, or better yet, keep it for yourself!
Thank you so much for visiting my site and trying out this pattern. I hope you enjoyed making it as much as I enjoyed designing it!
If anyone has any suggestions or critiques, I'd greatly appreciate your (constructive) feedback. You can either leave a comment below, send me a message through this website, or email me at: slipstitchhollow@gmail.com
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